seek

verb

ˈsēk 

sought ˈsȯt  ; seeking

transitive verb

1

: to resort to : go to

2

a

: to go in search of : look for

b

: to try to discover

3

: to ask for : request

seeks advice

4

: to try to acquire or gain : aim at

seek fame

5

: to make an attempt : try

—used with to and an infinitive

governments … seek to keep the bulk of their people contented

—D. M. Potter

intransitive verb

1

: to make a search or inquiry

2

a

: to be sought

b

: to be lacking

in critical judgment … they were sadly to seek

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

seeker noun

Synonyms

• cast about (for)
• cast around (for)
• chase (down)
• forage (for)
• hunt
• look up
• pursue
• quest
• search (for or out)
• shop (for)

Examples of seek in a Sentence

The office is seeking a salesperson.

The prince is seeking a wife.

Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies.

You should visit your doctor and seek his advice.

You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath.

The church is seeking donations.

He sought revenge for his son's murder.

During the war, she sought asylum in Spain.

They sought refuge in Canada.

The company is seeking new ways to improve service.

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Recent Examples on the Web

The defendants in this case sought to capitalize on this undercurrent in our society to change the result of a presidential election. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2023

Her foster mother, with the support of government social workers, sought a hysterectomy to manage her periods. —Sarah Hurtes, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023

Europe’s far right has sought to clean up its image, trading skinhead attire for suits. —Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023

Justice Department officials are seeking to extradite Pérez Salas, who is charged in two U.S. jurisdictions with conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; laundering money; retaliating against witnesses; and possessing machine guns. —Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2023

The release of the Thais was the result of efforts by Qatar and Egypt after the Thai foreign minister visited Doha seeking mediators' help, a person familiar with the talks said. —Stephen Kalin, WSJ, 25 Nov. 2023

The majority of the funds went to some 5,200 businesses seeking disaster assistance. —Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 25 Nov. 2023

The actress stars as Cassie, a woman who seeks vengeance for her traumatic past. —Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023

Indeed, now celebrating its 20th edition, the Moroccan event has always sought to shine a celebratory light, emphasizing art and international communion, especially in dark times. —Ben Croll, Variety, 24 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English seken, from Old English sēcan; akin to Old High German suohhen to seek, Latin sagus prophetic, Greek hēgeisthai to lead

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing seek

• hide-and-go-seek
• seek compensation
• seek damages
• seek revenge for
• take/find/seek refuge
• seek out
• seek one's fortune
• hide-and-seek

• hide-and-go-seek
• seek compensation
• seek damages
• seek revenge for
• take/find/seek refuge
• seek out
• seek one's fortune
• hide-and-seek

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Kids Definition

seek

verb

ˈsēk 

sought ˈsȯt  ; seeking

1

: to go to

seek the shade on a sunny day

2

a

: to go in search of : look for

seek out the guilty person

b

: to try to discover

seek the truth

3

: to ask for : request

seeks advice

4

: to try to acquire or gain : aim at

seeking public office

5

: to make an attempt : try

seek to find a way

sought to improve my work

seeker noun